In June 2016 we sold Cedar Pond and moved over the mountains and far away. We now live in Deer Park , WA where the weather is a bit more extreme than Cedar Pond's and in spite of the challenges we're rejoicing in life in our new home with field and forest just outside our back door. God is so good to us !

Happenings & Activities On Cedar Pond

"It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others." A.Holmes

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Tea Time Tuesday & A Secret Santa Mystery

Isn't this teacup lovely ? I received 2 teacups of this pattern as a gift from my Secret Santa last month. My Secret Santa did a wonderful job of choosing gifts for me, I just wish I knew who she was...please come forward , I love the gifts you chose for me. I made myself a cup of tea and drank it out of this teacup. Although the very old teacups came without saucers, I do have a supply of old Japanese made saucers on hand that go very well with these teacups.I think the blue saucer goes very well with the blue flowers ringing the rim of the teacup, don't you?I took this short tea break to catch up on reading my magazines, especially my poultry magazines, as my Grandson & I are raising bantam D'uccles (a small breed of chickens) together .Of courseI had to have some of the berry butternut cookies my husband made for Christmas. I ate the last 3 cookies , with no regrets! I was also able to read my 'Tea Time' , 'Country Living', & 'Victoria' magazines with all the inspiring tea settings and recipes.My lovely teacup is titled 'Cherry China', Made In Occupied Japan. I searched on-line for any info on this beautiful china but could not find any apropos to this pattern and style. What I appreciate about these cups is that I can use so many different saucers and table-setting colors with them.For now though, I will eat my cookies, drink my tea, dream about future tea parties, and then get on with my January house-cleaning & organizing.I hope my Secret Santa reads this so the mysterycan be solved.~ To see other Tea Time Tuesday inspirational ideas, please visit the ladies listed below.

There are many reasons I love January. The weather outside is so cold there is no gardening to be done. I can focus on what needs doing indoors. After feeding my sheep, poultry, dogs, cats, & goats ~ making sure they are well, warm & dry, I come indoors and hum as I bake, clean, craft and write without feeling I am neglecting other duties.The wood stove needs to be fed often to keep the house warm. I am so grateful to God who has provided my family, home, hearth, health, and blessings more abundant than I can write. Tea time and blogging friends are icing on the cake of such abundance. I hope you're able to see all your blessings and be thankful, for even if you're suffering hardships and loss, you are still abundantly blessed, really!~"Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow. " James 1:17 ~

17 comments:

They really are lovely cups! I'm happy you are enjoying the Tea Time magazine and how fun to be raising chickens with your grandson. Much like you, I am happiest when I am at home cleaning, baking and enjoying God's many blessings.Have a wonderful day, Kathy.

Your cherry china cups are so sweet! They look fine on the blue saucers. I wonder who your gifter is??? I am sure you would love to know. Someone was thinking of you. I hope they come forward.How long does it take you in the morning to feed and check all your animals? It sounds like a lot of work. I am so glad you are loving your life and have time to sit and enjoy your tea!Hugs,Terri

The teacups are lovely and the saucers do look lovely with them. Occupied Japan? The dates are 1945-1952 and were required on all china during that period. Sometimes the maker's mark was included as well, sometimes only the Occupied Japan mark. Collectible, because it was only for the few years that Japan was rebuildin under the occupation. You have the same taste as I do in magazines! LOL!Cheers!R

Yes, Santa reads your blog! :) I've been doing the Secret Santa Soiree for a few years now. Last year, instead of posting about what we received, Georgie had us post about what we SENT. It was very difficult for me not to post about your gift, because I was so excited to find those teacups. As soon as I received your info and visited your blog, I knew I wanted to find a pretty teacup. I visited my local Goodwill store, and just when I was ready to give up, God stepped in and those teacups were right there on the shelf. They were exactly what I was looking for, and when I turned them over and saw "Occupied Japan", I knew I'd found a treasure. The best part? They were FIFTY CENTS EACH! :) There were originally three, but one met with an untimely demise when my toddler found the bag. I had so much fun putting your package together and am glad that you enjoyed everything!

Maple Lane, all these things, baking, cleaning, gardening, enjoying family, they are what home is all about!Thank-you.

Amy, you found some at your thrift store? What a special find and then gift for the old church.

Timi, thank-you!

Linda M. you were right, my SSS did read and respond. Thank-you for your kind words.

Terri, it takes about an hour for daily chores, a bit more time to clean, and for special care. Then of course there is time to just watch my animals...after all, that is why I have them, because I love them. Thank-you for hosting this tea-time Tuesday.

Ruth, thank-you for the information, this helps me.

Elle Bee, THANK-YOU ! Your good bargain is my treasure, and I love the teacups very much.I enjoyed and appreciate the gift box you so carefully and thoughtfully put together, the baked bread was a real bonus. I am using my Panda Express card this Friday after my dentist check-up !

Hi Kathy, I always love stopping by to see what you are up too. Your music choices are so soothing. I began the year by organizing, but then the roof leaked and everything is torn apart, lol.

Thank you so much for welcoming me home. I hope that you figure out who your secret Santa is, but if you don't, please consider it a blessing and a hug from the Lord, and say a prayer for his sweet messenger.

Tea is always such a nice thing to do for oneself. Dave and I used to do that, take a break in the later afternoon, sit and chat about nothing much in particular. It's something I've gotten away from; perhaps one day I'll start again.

Paula, I know it seems crazy, but drinking tea or coffee out of pretty cups & saucers does make it taste better!

January seems the only month I can count on a bit of down time to regroup, and reflect, without so many needful things clamoring for attention. If it snows ,then I am feeling blissful, for I can justify staying indoors most of the day and not driving anywhere. Time for reading, weaving, spinning,

Oregon Gifts, my Secret Santa commented, and now I know who she is! Check out her blog, ElleBee !

Dolores, you are often on my mind and in my prayers. I am hoping all reading your blog are praying for you & David, knowing you love Jesus and need extra comfort from Him and His.

Thistle Cove, Sandra, one day I hope the memory of tea with Dave brings smiles instead of tears.

Paula, I know it seems crazy, but drinking tea or coffee out of pretty cups & saucers does make it taste better!

January seems the only month I can count on a bit of down time to regroup, and reflect, without so many needful things clamoring for attention. If it snows ,then I am feeling blissful, for I can justify staying indoors most of the day and not driving anywhere. Time for reading, weaving, spinning,

Oregon Gifts, my Secret Santa commented, and now I know who she is! Check out her blog, ElleBee !

Dolores, you are often on my mind and in my prayers. I am hoping all reading your blog are praying for you & David, knowing you love Jesus and need extra comfort from Him and His.

Thistle Cove, Sandra, one day I hope the memory of tea with Dave brings smiles instead of tears.

Our youngest son and grandson standing in front of a flag our daughter-in-law ( his wife ) welded from horseshoes. Our youngest son is a farrier so she has a huge supply of well-used horseshoes to weld up into amazing items.

New Lambs !

Kathy.B

Time For Tea !

Tea-time blogging is celebrated here.

Wee Little Sheep ~ My Etsy

Little sheep I craft from the wool fleeces of my Jacob Sheep. Click on the picture to view my shop.

Jacob Sheep Lamb

Click on the picture to see my Jacob Sheep & red dog blog !

Just Chickens ~ My chicken blog.

To see what's goin' on in the poultry pens, click here.

Wee Little Sheep

Etsy Shop ~ Click on picture to view shop.

My Spotted Sheep Shop

Click here to see wool-craftings from the fleeces of my flock of spotted sheep.

"It is good to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto His name...to declare His lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness by night." Psalm 92: 1,2

Look at the treasure I found in our mailbox today. Letters, hand written letters ! Two letters were written to me by two of our granddaugh...

Recipe For Yarn~

Click onto picture to read the recipe for homespun yarn!

My Husband, My Love !

My husband holding a newborn lamb.

My Husband

My husband has retired and we've entered a new phase of life for us~ relocating a few hundred miles over the mountains and far away from Cedar Pond , the home we built , loved , and tended for more that 2 decades. My husband is still building the pens that enclose my sheep and poultry. My husband is the best chef & cook I know, and he loves to share this gift with friends & family.He is the man who helped me raise our 3 children and he loves even more the blessing of playing with our 11 grandchildren. The grandchildren know he is Santa Claus and just maybe he is! Best of all, my husband loves me, even if I do bring home too many critters to keep out of his gardens.

Whimsy, my German Shepherd .

She has claimed me as hers and devoted to being my companion and protector.

Miss Marple And I Agree on This~

There are so many blogs I read regularly and my taste is eclectic. The blogs listed in this sidebar are not exclusive of blogs I enjoy and the posted list changes when the mood strikes. I in no way endorse everything said and written in the blogs I follow and am only responsible for my own words which on occasion I have to eat. There is one hard-fast rule for me personally, I will not re-read or display any blog which blasphemes my Lord and Savior or mocks Him or His~ Thank-you for taking time to read my blog, I am truly honored you chose to spend a few moments with me!

"One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business when all that legitimately concerns us is today.If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy." Elisabeth Elliot

About Me

I am a wife and grandmother who keeps sheep, poultry, dogs, cats, and I love to spin , weave, and locker hook the wool of my sheep. I also tend my herb garden ( when it is not raining ) and enjoy the company of my family and friends.
A good cup of tea in a pretty teacup is always a blessing, especially if shared with special friends & family.
Our Christian faith is the center of our lives and we thank God for our salvation,for His mercy ,guidance, and abundant blessings in this life we live here at Cedar Pond.